East Bengal will begin their title defence after the tournament opener, between group C’s Dempo Sports Club and Pune FC, at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan.East Bengal coach Trevor James Morgan has already showed his willingness to defend the title by choosing form over fame, when the Englishman dropped senior pro Abhra Mondal, who was named captain for the 2011-12 season.
In the goalkeeper’s absence, Sandip Nandi will be the seven-time champions’ main custodian, while Sanju Pradhan will wear the captain’s armband. Morgan, however, has retained the core of the squad that beat 13-time champions Mohun Bagan 1-0 in last year’s final in Cuttack.
The team will look at foreign duo Penn Orji and Tolgay Ozbey for goals.
East Bengal will, however, be tested by Mohammadan Sporting. Kolkata will also host Air India, Sporting Clube de Goa, Prayag United SC and Viva Kerala who have been clubbed in group D.
The group A and B matches will begin simultaneously in Pune on Saturday, while the semifinals and final will be held in the Salt Lake stadium.
Group A: Mohun Bagan, Churchill Brothers, Shillong Lajong FC, Royal Wahingdoh. Group B: Pailan Arrows, Salgaocar Sports Club, Mumbai FC, HAL; Group C: East Bengal, Dempo SC, Pune FC, Mohammedan Sporting.
Group D: Prayag United SC, Sporting Clube de Goa, Air India, Viva Kerala.
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